Chapter 64

Chapter 64 - Prophecy (3)

Except for special cases, magical talent is not hereditary. Because a magician's life is something destiny bestows.

There is exactly one exception here, and that is a witch. An existence located between a scholar and a magician.

Witches can look into even the hem of magic by endlessly exploring, collecting, grinding, boiling, singing, and dancing.

The Blackhand Tribe is a family that enthusiastically nurtures and also utilizes witches. The magic they covet the most is, as expected, prophecy.

In a quietly isolated place, Tribal Chief Alessa and the elders stared at Rex.

"I am certain that the Knight is the owner of the prophecy."

When Rex learned of the prophecy was after leaving Bonyard. As soon as he heard the story, he believed that there would be no candidate other than Eugene.

"As a warrior, the Young Master's discerning eye must surely be correct."

"However, the future of the clan is at stake. Please do not find it unpleasant that we must continuously search for alternatives as well."

The elders spoke sound arguments.

"I understand. Was there perhaps an additional prophecy?"

Alessa shook her head.

"The two witches have become excessively weak. You can consider them in a state of retirement."

The twin witches who prophesied the destruction of the family are elderly even by Dark Elf standards. After accepting an excessively massive mystery, they became sickly as if they had caught a severe disease.

"Young Master. The more people a prophecy influences and the clearer its contents, the greater the burden. Originally, this prophecy would have ended much more simply."

However, the two witches, who noticed it was a revelation concerning the clan's fate, overdid it to steal a glimpse of the future and paid the price.

"I am only thankful for their devotion until now."

Rex, hearing the circumstances, also assented.

A prophecy is something more charming than gold, but the more one searches for it, it inevitably leads to disaster.

"On one hand, I am also curious. What kind of disaster will lead our tribe to destruction."

Rex didn't not have the heart to proudly face the crisis. It is ambition coming from youth, and the pride of a warrior who has pioneered his destiny with sweat and strength.

"Curiosity is not a virtue of a leader. Because there are also secrets in the world that one should just pass by without facing them."

"Those are the words Lord Marbas says like a habit."

Rex is not a mere warrior. Keeping even small dangers away from the tribe. That is the duty of a minor tribal chief.

"Young Master. We have not yet confirmed what the Cradle is. Please be reminded that the path we must take is long."

"I know. Is it okay to tell the Knight now? It's not like I'm deceiving him, but I also don't feel inclined to hide it."

Everyone's gaze gathered on Alessa. Revealing the tribe's internal circumstances to an outsider is the authority of the tribal chief.

Alessa nodded her head.

"Thank you. Since we're on the subject, shouldn't we slowly inform the entire tribe?"

"I will announce it as soon as the festival ends. Because I want everyone to be at peace just during the festival period."

It was recently that the prophecy fell, and because the contents were so grave, they did not reveal it immediately.

When death approaches in darkness where one cannot see an inch ahead, people are bound to despair.

Whether it's the Cradle or the owner of the Cradle, there was a need to announce it after lighting up at least one lantern.

* * *

"There were such circumstances, Sir Knight."

"Thank you for telling me, an outsider."

Although it's an embarrassing story, Eugene quickly rolled his head.

What he must bear, the danger, the relationship with the tribe, what he can obtain. Judging those on the spot was the only important thing.

The answer to put forth was organized quickly.

"Honestly, I do not know if such a great destiny is waiting in front of me. However, I promise only that I will always welcome your tribe."

"Are you believing our prophecy?"

Rather, Rex was more surprised by the attitude of accepting it without doubt. It's because he thought he would make at least a bizarre expression, even if not reacting by saying what nonsense is this.

However, the knight before his eyes accepted it infinitely seriously.

"It is slightly different from completely believing."

"Pardon?"

"Not being certain, but also not doubting. Cooperating as much as possible if I can help in the situation that has struck. Would this be insufficient?"

"Not at all!"

Eugene is also in a position to have experienced various colorful things entangled with mystery until now. He could not ignore a prophecy the tribe's noble witches made risking their lives.

'The destruction of the family is approaching, escaping to the Cradle is the way to live, and the owner of that place is me.'

Honestly, it's a story hard to handle, though.

"Have you found out concretely what that Cradle is?"

Valda asked.

Actually, this is the most important part. Because even if you have the owner of the house and the key, if there's no actual house, you have to face the wind and rain.

"Interpretations are divided among the elders regarding that. Someone says it's an unpioneered land, someone says it's a free city on the frontier far from various interests. And Lord Marbas..."

Rex trailed off the end of his words.

"He must have argued for the legendary Moving Castle?"

"Because he is a person who talks about that castle whenever he's bored since the old days."

Originally, magicians are bound to become single-minded about what they pursue. Tying a prophecy to one's own field of interest is not a strange occurrence.

"Unexpectedly, there are also elders who sympathize."

"Really?"

"Isn't it an immensely concrete prophecy? It didn't hint at a land or a city, but pinpointed the Cradle. Lord Marbas's logic is that there is surely a reason."

They are the Blackhand Tribe who have received and interpreted several prophecies over a long history. The information they accumulated made it difficult to deny Marbas's argument.

Valda also added a word.

"The Emperor going around everywhere searching for the Moving Castle must have also had an influence."

"That is so. He said great mysteries are bound to intertwine with each other."

Eugene made a wondering face at the Elf looking at him.

"Why do you look at me like that?"

"No. It's nothing."

In Valda's thoughts, Eugene was also an existence entering the realm of mystery.

The dream he had, and the golden key obtained by defeating the Guardian. There were many things interlocking like a puzzle to be seen as a coincidence.

"It seems we only talked about too heavy stories."

Having confessed everything, Rex had a relieved face. He opened the entrance of Eugene's quarters and gestured.

"Dinner will be prepared soon. Because it will be full of rare foods that came from all over the continent, please go out quickly."

"I will ask one more thing."

"Please speak."

"Do other tribe members also know this? It's too bright an atmosphere for that."

Rex laughed quietly.

"We will announce it when the joyful festival ends. Heavy prophecies also arrive slowly. Destiny will not overcome our family just because we rest for a few days."

* * *

Fitting a festival that happens once every few years, the food was spectacular. Leaving price aside, it overflowed with delicacies that even Count families couldn't see due to transportation or preservation problems.

Quail eggs piled on silver trays, peeled oranges, and seafood stew using turtle shells as bowls came out. The steaks were also only high-grade products butchered from young individuals that had never labored.

"It's the first time I'm eating foal meat. It's much better than I thought?"

"For us too, it is a precious food we only taste around festival times."

"But why aren't you eating more?"

"... I kept eating together next to you, but it seems only I am full."

Rex looked at Eugene with an appalled face.

"Don't you have to go out and take a look?"

Fitting Dark Elves with exclusive personalities, the festival grounds were also largely divided into two sectors.

The places where each family set up camp can only be accessed by the relevant tribe members and invited guests.

The outside was called the common sector, so everyone mingled and enjoyed without distinguishing tribes.

"Is there a need to go out?"

"Various performances, competitions, and street vendors handling fascinating goods are all outside. The real spectacles of the festival are those things."

"I am sufficiently satisfied here too."

Eugene pointed to the tribe women dancing inside the tent.

Beautifully frolicking with translucent scarves wrapped around their faces. It looks as if all the passion of the world was gathered and molded into the shape of women.

Any part of their bodies revealed during the fierce dance movements is perfectly trained.

"This is like an offering female warriors present to the gods."

"Human dancers are child's play compared to our tribe's women."

Perhaps indeed a warrior tribe, young ladies performing sword dances holding daggers or scimitars are also seen.

What Eugene thought was akin to rhythmic gymnastics was, upon closer inspection, a dance performed holding whips.

"Good friends, wonderful food, great spectacles, comfortable beds. Since everything I want is here, I just want to stay together."

"Are you going to speak so sneakily?"

Unlike his grumbling words, Rex's face was full of satisfaction.

"Moreover, if I go out wearing this clothes, it seems it will become bothersome in many ways."

Eugene gripped the traditional clothing he was wearing and shook it lightly.

"If a human in a similar attire to them, not a worker or clown, walks around, wouldn't other families find it unpleasant?"

"There will be no bastards with livers big enough to dare touch our guest."

Rex never imagined that the knight who seemed to fear nothing would pay attention to this aspect.

"Bastards who cause accidents cause trouble without caring about such things."

It was as Eugene said. Even if he is careful not to get swept up in trouble, accidents that are meant to happen happen.

When all the members were drinking heavily, a few Dark Elf warriors who uniquely hadn't drank a sip of alcohol approached.

"We wish to dare make an insolent request."

"What is the matter?"

"Even if the Young Master acknowledged that Knight, we cannot acknowledge him."

Even as Rex's eyes turned cold, the warriors did not cower.

"For an outsider to wear clothes permitted only to the tribal chief's family and attend the banquet!"

"If he is such a great knight, please let him compete with one of us. Only then will we be convinced."

Eugene, who was listening, was astonished.

'It was that important an attire?!'

Somehow, getting plastered with gold thread and the flashy decorations did have too big a difference from what others were wearing.

Never imagining that they would give him clothes only the tribal chief's family could wear. If he had known in advance, Eugene would have adamantly declined.

"These bastards."

Meanwhile, Rex sitting next to him became so menacing that even Eugene felt embarrassed.

The reason he held back for now was because the warriors were demanding based on justification and loyalty.

There is also the responsibility of the tribal chief's family who did not announce the prophecy out of consideration to let them enjoy the festival comfortably.

"This is an issue that the Tribal Chief and elders have also agreed upon."

"If they are dissatisfied, order them to go back and sit down."

The warriors stood their ground firmly.

If Rex commands it, the trouble will end here. However, a speck of hard feelings will linger unresolved.

Eugene stood up from his seat.

"I will accept that challenge."

"Sir Knight!"

"As a knight, how can I avoid an opponent who has challenged with pure fighting spirit?"

Eugene did not want to stand by and watch Rex being put in a difficult position between himself and the family.

"And look around."

The boisterous banquet hall has become quiet. Men and women of all ages are all looking here with excitement and anticipation.

"If it fizzles out here, wouldn't everyone be disappointed?"

"But to commit this rudeness after inviting you..."

"If I hire mercenaries in the future, I will contact this place first. Having fought together with you guys in Bonyard, other mercenaries don't catch my eye at all."

Clang! Clang!

The tribe young ladies who were performing sword dances clashed their weapons and sent a favorable response instead of clapping.

"Since I'll be fighting together with these warriors in the future anyway, it would be good to try coordinating hands and feet in advance. Let's consider it as a level of rehearsal."

At Eugene's spirited words, laughter came out from everywhere.

"I can't stop you."

Only then did Rex also relax his face.

Even the tribe warriors, who had tense faces after demanding it first, looked at Eugene harboring goodwill.

The spectators cheered and cleared the tables and chairs and swept the ground. An empty clearing was created in an instant.

"They are incredibly skilled at this?"

"Impromptu arenas open frequently in our tribe, after all."

Whether they drew lots in advance, one warrior stepped forward as a representative. He is wearing armor and holding an edgeless sword.

"Sir Knight. Please go easy on me. It is fine if one or two places break, but just so he doesn't die."

"Do not worry."

Eugene patted Rex's shoulder, who spoke earnestly.

"I can use any weapon as long as it has no edge, right? Because since I have the choice, I want to use what I'm familiar with. That will also be comfortable for controlling strength."

"Of course. It's fine as long as it's not sharp or pointy... N-No way?"

The unthinkable happened. Rex became speechless seeing the brutal polearm Homi brought over.

"I heard he caught 3 Bugbears with that."

"Oh my!"

"They say the pagan knight and the Wendigo also had their skulls cracked by it?"

"The Wendigo was caught with a sword. Lord Rex made the trophy out of it!"

The murmuring of the spectators spread out.

Even the warriors who ambitiously challenged gulped their saliva at the iron club swaying at the end of the flail. They felt a chill passing through piercing their entire endocrine glands.

"Sir Knight! No matter how edgeless it is, if hit by that, even a grazing blow is death!"

"... Rex. What do you take me for? Of course I have no intention of using it like this."

Eugene, finding it ridiculous, inserted the flail's key and detached the chain.

Thud!

The iron club dropped to the ground making a loud noise.

"Ah, it could be used like that too."

Rex, who was feeling nervous, felt relieved at the flail that turned into a steel staff. If it's that, even if a few places break, he wouldn't die.

Eugene, wearing armor with Homi's help, advanced while spinning the long iron pole like a lance with both hands. A black vortex is created and surrounds him.

Hwooong!

Hwoong!

A tremendous air-rending sound filled the banquet hall and erased the people's murmurs.

"Isn't that the sound a Troll makes when swinging its club?"

"Lord Rex, shouldn't we stop this?"

"If he gets hit by that, dying would be exactly the same."

At the brutal sound, Rex's close aides, who sobered up, ran over.

"Umm."

Rex was conflicted between two opposing thoughts.

The desire to see the bastards who dared challenge Eugene get smashed. The sense of responsibility that he must stop it to prevent an accident.

'He will control his strength appropriately.'

Rex decided to trust the knight he respects.